The Tony Allcock Trophy is a National Double Mixed Rink Competition for the Over 60's.
Tony Allcock was an England Player, MBE, OBE, twice World outdoor Singles Champion and Three times World indoor Singles Champion, plus many other accolades to his name.
So, obviously pretty good at bowls.
Each year, Sidmouth enter two teams in this competition. This year, for the first time, they were drawn against each other. A little disappointing, but, of course, it means one of our teams would proceed to the next round.
Sidmouth Red started very slow, not scoring until the 5th end, but at 7 ends (15 for the whole game) the score was all level at 12 -12.
It was a good game to watch and pretty much nip and tuck until the last couple of ends, when the Reds raised their game and went ahead of the Blue's to win 33-25 on aggregate. They now go forward to play against Topsham and with Sidmouth being the challengers, it will be played at home.
The teams were: Sidmouth Red - Karen Hollingdale, Mick Cox, John Mason and skip Jill Bishop, who won against Sidmouth Blue - Ray Tallent, Anita Mason, John Chew and skip Susie Bonnell 17- 15
Sidmouth Red - Jean Brimson, Brenda Somerfield, David Timms, and skip Mike Borst, who won against Sidmouth Blue - Carol Timms, Roger Stewart, Sue Turner and skip Allan Davis. 16-10.
Last Friday, we welcomed our first touring team since 2019, Hertfordshire Men’s Tour.
The six rinks played against Sidmouth men in the morning, and after a light lunch supplied by Anita, Jill and Sue, they played a competition against themselves in the afternoon.
The overall morning score favoured the visitors, but only by a few shots being 91 - 86. Sidmouth lost on three rinks, won on two rinks and drew on one rink. The best rink by far was that of Ray Tallent, Brian Deam, Peter Mison and skip John Chew, who scored an excellent 23 shots to 11.
We must also not forget to thank those hard-working volunteer bar stewards, who managed very well with our cashless system – Susie, Tony, Doug and Neil.
Sidmouth men played the 1st round of The Devon Top Club away against Chardstock. Chardstock is a pretty slow green, but played quite true. In this game, there are five disciplines - two wood singles, four wood singles, pairs, triples and rinks (4's).
Sidmouth did extremely well, winning three of the five disciplines to put them into the next round.
Andrew Lowe won the 2 wood singles 22-20.
Ken Wheeler won the 4 wood singles 21-15
John Richards, Roger Stewart and John Mason won the triples 17 –12
The pairs of David Timms and John Chew lost by just 2 shots 18 –20
The rink of Frank Adlam, Roy Jeffries, Clive Brook, and Mike Borst lost 12 -20
The next round is against Madeira BC on July 15. We wish them all the best of luck.
One of the three Sidmouth teams that entered the very well supported County Mixed Triples Competition are through to Section 3B semi-final.
They played against a very strong team from Ottery St. Mary, with Sidmouth team comprising Anita and John Mason, plus reserve Ray Tallent, substituting for Zena Johnson. We were designated a rink that suited Anita and John’s wide swinging bowls and great to see the skill of a swinging bowl, rather than straight up the middle.
After 14 ends (18 to play), the score was 11-5 to Sidmouth. On the 15th end, John skilfully removed an opponent’s bowl to gain a plus 5 score. They also won the following two ends to win the game with ease.

Sidmouth Herald: Elvis has left the buildingElvis has left the building (Image: Sidmouth Bowls Club)